Last summer, the Edmonton Oilers made the decision to cut ties with Andrew Cogliano, sending the young centre to Anaheim in exchange for a second round draft pick. A year later, how is that decision looking?

Cogliano, who had just completed his second contract – a one-year deal worth $1.0 million – was promptly signed to a three-year deal with an annual cap hit of $2.39 million by his new club. At the time, I thought general manager Steve Tambellini deserved high marks for making the decision to divest the Oilers of Cogliano:

The dollar figure on Cogliano’s new contract makes Steve Tambellini look better for trading him. We might present it as a choice, one between Eric Belanger and a second round pick as well as roughly $700,000 in savings, or Andrew Cogliano. Given that Belanger’s the better player, cheaper, was available at no cost other than money, and most importantly fits team needs better, that’s a great choice. Even so, on a rebuilding team, it may not have been an easy one to make. Trading Cogliano is a risk; he’s young, has scored in the past, has blazing speed and rarely left anyone questioning his effort level. He’s also been exceptionally durable. Personally, I think it’s a smart risk.

After Cogliano’s first year with the Ducks, that decision continues to look good. Cogliano played middling competition for the Ducks, failed to produce offensively (finishing with a career-low 26 points) and wasn’t any great shakes defensively either. Bruce Boudreau is still optimistic that Cogliano has more to give, but plans to use him on the wing for all of next season – a move that’s several been several years in the making, given Cogliano poor work in the circle.

The return on Cogliano wasn’t exceptional – a second round pick in 2013 – but that’s okay because it’s difficult to see where he would fit in on the Oilers now. His skills are not ones that are in short supply in Edmonton; it’s not that he’s a terrible player, just that he isn’t a good fit for need.

Trading him was the right decision, and time has only confirmed that.

Previously in this series

Jonathan Willis is a freelance writer.
He currently works for Oilers Nation, Sportsnet, the Edmonton Journal and Bleacher Report.
He's co-written three books and worked for myriad websites, including Grantland, ESPN, The Score, and Hockey Prospectus. He was previously the founder and managing editor of Copper & Blue.

So what about these rumors of Arnott coming to Edmonton???? I think it would be a good move if we can off load Belanger somewhere, also I would like to see VanVelde get 15-20 games this season. Couple reasons, he can learn from both Horcoff and Arnott but I'm also very interested to see where he is at development wise and if he could slot into the NHL the following season.

Where'd you see the Arnott rumors? That'd be cool if he came back (2nd line centre, perhaps? Is Gagner getting traded?). I always thought he got the bums rush outta here, and ironically, he's the type of C that this team has been looking for after they traded him.

Is this Oilers Domination to Follow thing really going to be a thing? Dont get me wrong, I love the enthusiasm but I just dont want to stray into the category of fandom that likens to Canuck fan douche-bagery.

Also, trading Cogs was absolutely fine. Could it have been possible to get more for him? I personally doubt it but I also thing a more shrewd GM could have squeezed a bit more out of cogs.

Where'd you see the Arnott rumors? That'd be cool if he came back (2nd line centre, perhaps? Is Gagner getting traded?). I always thought he got the bums rush outta here, and ironically, he's the type of C that this team has been looking for after they traded him.

I believe it was Richard Cloutier he also mentioned that Philly apparently have been talking with Calgary about J-Bo

Like alot of the players moved in the last few years, Cogs seemed like a good guy who was a bit of a 'tweener... he wasn't a faceoff specialist or a points producer or a physical presence on the ice or an irreplaceable pk or pp specialist... he just had his speed going for him.

I think whoever he plays for has to view him as a long term project and give him a narrow and defined role on the team ("you're a 3rd/4th line winger and pk specialist")... I've always viewed him as a "Todd Marchant-lite" kind of player who didn't have Marchant's chirpiness or agitator skills or faceoff ability.

Is this Oilers Domination to Follow thing really going to be a thing? Dont get me wrong, I love the enthusiasm but I just dont want to stray into the category of fandom that likens to Canuck fan douche-bagery.

Also, trading Cogs was absolutely fine. Could it have been possible to get more for him? I personally doubt it but I also thing a more shrewd GM could have squeezed a bit more out of cogs.

I agree the Cogs trade was fine. I hope we use that second round pick in a trade package to land Yandle. That would really make the Cog trade look good. Plus Cogliano really wouldn't fit too well on the team. I liked his durability; we've now shipped out our two most durable players in Cogliano and Gilbert.

The team is in a weird spot right now in that they don't need to many more pieces to be competitive, but getting those pieces without giving up another asset that just creates a different hole will be very tricky.

Even with all our great prospects coming up on D, I still think we could use a Yandle. Then next year when Whitney and Sutton's contracts are over is when we bring up Klefbomb and Tuebert to replace those types of players. Obviously a healthy Whitney is better than a rookie Klefbomb, but an unhealthy Whitney is probably worse than a rookie Klefbomb whose been seasoned in the SEL. Who knows, maybe Hall will work out at center like Messier did. Trade Gags for better D, throw either Harti or Paajarvi on the left on the second line, with Smyth on the left up top, and that's a pretty good roster.

I am ok with the trade as well. I don't think it is that odd at all that they stalled. It is very similar to how Paajarvi stalled. They were getting premiere minutes on the 1st and 2nd line and 1 PP time due to injuries.

When the vets were healthy the next season they were pushed down the depth chart on team that is not deep.

You take a finnesse player and put them with less skilled players with reduced icetime and no PP time and their numbers are effected. With high expectations and faltering results your confidence is bound to take a hit.

This is why I would like to see Paajarvi have a good camp and get a long look in the top 6. We could use a big player with speed in our top 6. I know he is not the physical specimen that would make him perfect in the role, but he creates space, draws penalties, and his shot percentage last year was the lowest in the league. Put him with some descent players and i can guarantee he has a bounce back year.

Add to that after having a setback in Cogliano's sophmore year the coaching staff did exactly what people are suggesting with Paajarvi. They told him he was going to be a defensive specialist and a PK guy. They are both smart players with speed and may be capable of making that switch but well rounded players that have put up good offensive numbers previously will always be looked at as a flop if they end up being just a defensive forward that is partnered with other defensive forwards and does not put up many points.

I was hoping for a 2012 2nd rounder when Andrew was first traded, and was disapointed when I found out it was a 2nd rounder in 2013.

Now the timing of the trade makes more sense, Oilers can look at their talent this year, find any glaring weaknesses and trade one or both of their second rounders in the draft to fill any holes. The can also trade their first rounder if they are in a position at the deadline to challenge for a playoff spot(not a rental but more of a Mike Fisher type acquisition).

Cogliano on the Wing has potential but second rounders seem to get you Michaleks and Visnovskys these days, so I think the trade worked out for the Oilers - depending what they do with the pick.

For me, it is an absolute YES for Yandle. Young offensive DMAN that can move forward for many many years with this club.

If the Oilers offensive (forwards) future is Centered around Hall, Eberle, RNH, Yakapov that is super exciting.

If you paired that with a D Core centered around Yandle, Petry, Justin Schultz, Smid and hopefully Klefbom then I am stupid happy.

That is a core that can grow together and be awesome. Assuming of course management is capable of keeping them all under the cap and surrounding them with decent supplimentary players every year.

Also keeping in mind that this group is paired with a pretty good looking crop of "non-elite" prospects: Lander, Harski, Paajarvi, Teubert, Rieder, Marincin, Gernat, Fedun, Musil, Pitlick, Roy and Bunz

God, looking at that I am actually excited. GO GET YANDLE (or similar)

That 2nd round pick should prove to be valuable. Next year's draft should be deep, so two 2nd round picks that will likely be between 35 and 45 can probably be exchanged for something in the 22-28 range.

Either that or that pick becomes the "throw-in" should the Oilers trade Paajarvi for a Dman.

Unfortunately Cogs may have already peaked by getting into the Hockey Hall of Fame so early in his career thus the Oil traded him at his highest value.

Perhaps Gagner has now peaked, with his Gretzky tieing record last season. Maybe it is time to sell high. Gagner to the Islanders for Mark Streit, The rights to Yashin and Doug Weights hair stlyists phone number.

I enjoy reading Oilersnation and enjoy reading opinions in the comment section. But am already sick of "Oiler domination to follow". Please do away with it...... I think the Cogs trade was one of Tambo"s better one's.

I enjoy reading Oilersnation and enjoy reading opinions in the comment section. But am already sick of "Oiler domination to follow". Please do away with it...... I think the Cogs trade was one of Tambo"s better one's.

I agree it was, I'm starting to wonder if the reason why Tambo doesn't make many trades is because other teams are will to offer fair value. They know the oilers have a lot of good prospects and want to low ball the oilers to try and get them. Also I wouldn't want to use Marincin, Gernat, Kelfbom in any trades yet, not until we get a better idea of their potential. I think both Marincin and Gernat could surprise everyone and a trade could be regretful.

Willis, unrelated to Cogs, but do you think Omark has an outside chance at a peak now that Ralph is behind the bench? With Renney I think it was a snow balls chance in hell, but do you think this might be a day for a new start for him? Or... is he still done here?

The value of the Cogs trade all depends on what we end up getting for that 2nd round pick. Maybe we get the next Weber, maybe we get the next Jorge Von Clauppenhauer IV. Maybe we package it. Either way, if the pick isn't part of something that results in a useful NHL player eventually making it to the team, then the trade has failed. Time will tell.

If we are looking to use that pick how about we convince Toronto to give up Cody Franson by submitting an offer sheet? If we super-overpaid for one year at $3.3 million and the Leafs decided not to match (I can't see why they would, they don't even use the guy), then we would owe them a second rounder as compensation.

I'm not saying Franson is worth 3.3 million, that bid is just to make the Leafs not match the offer.

It could come back to haunt us, but trading Cogs for a 6'5" right handed young offensive d-man would sure be a good trade in my mind.

I put this up on the twitters but I guess I don't have enough followers yet to warrant a response. Thoughts?

As far as Richard Cloutier goes, I like his articles. I may have missed one, but I've never read him post any made up rumors, and try and pass them off as legit. He'll either comment on an Eklund rumor, as to what it might actually take to make the rumored trade go through, or he'll quote one the Edmonton Media guys like Stauffer or Tencer.

The only time I've seen him make up trades, he flat out says that they're not rumors, just deals he'd like to see, and what it might take to do them.

I agree. The "props" was for coining the phrase "Canuck fan douche-baggery". I will try to introduce that into conversations whenever possible.

The "Oiler Domination to Follow" thing does ring a little hollow. You are correct that while the intention may be good, perhaps, we should try winning more games than we lose in a season and actually play in a single flipping playoff game this decade, before we get too far ahead of ourselves.

I enjoy reading Oilersnation and enjoy reading opinions in the comment section. But am already sick of "Oiler domination to follow". Please do away with it...... I think the Cogs trade was one of Tambo"s better one's.

The Cogliano trade was a good move by Tambellini. I really liked that he made it a 2013 pick, he said at the time that they needed to start spreading out their draft picks and perhaps they could package their 1st round pick and the Anaheim pick (which will probably be higher than their own 2nd rounder) to move up in the draft to get Curtis Lazar in the #6-#10 range.

Just a thought.

Timely divesting of prospects and youth are going to be an area of great concern for this team soon, and it is notoriously difficult to know when to "sell high" on a player.

That being said, when Tambellini makes a move like he did with Cogliano it tends to redeem, in my eyes, his other moves such as the Colin Fraser experiment.

If that move were made today I'm fairly certain a better return could not be had.

Regarding the "Oiler domination to follow" stuff... let's just leave that for somewhere else guys... I lived through the "boys on the bus" '80s, the erratic '90s and, save for the 2006 Cup run, the disappointing '00s and '10s, and I like to think that I've seen the best and worst that this team (and OilerNation) has to offer, and a little humility and grace shows respect for all parties affiliated with this team and the other 29 teams in the league...

I've also seen too often that "what goes around comes around" and I really hate it when blowhard Flames/Leafs/Canadians/Canucks fans take things too far.

I've always appreciated that hockey has an unwritten sportmanship code that separated it from other sports like basketball... it's why teams shake hands after a playoff series or why guys like Avery get turfed from the league for being d-bags...

I also think it's why I'll always stop and help out an Oilers/Flames/Leafs/Canadians/Canucks fan with a flat tire on my way home from Rexall... provided that they are not standing by the side of the road screaming "__________ DOMINATION TO FOLLOW"....

Regarding the "Oiler domination to follow" stuff... let's just leave that for somewhere else guys... I lived through the "boys on the bus" '80s, the erratic '90s and, save for the 2006 Cup run, the disappointing '00s and '10s, and I like to think that I've seen the best and worst that this team (and OilerNation) has to offer, and a little humility and grace shows respect for all parties affiliated with this team and the other 29 teams in the league...

I've also seen too often that "what goes around comes around" and I really hate it when blowhard Flames/Leafs/Canadians/Canucks fans take things too far.

I've always appreciated that hockey has an unwritten sportmanship code that separated it from other sports like basketball... it's why teams shake hands after a playoff series or why guys like Avery get turfed from the league for being d-bags...

I also think it's why I'll always stop and help out an Oilers/Flames/Leafs/Canadians/Canucks fan with a flat tire on my way home from Rexall... provided that they are not standing by the side of the road screaming "__________ DOMINATION TO FOLLOW"....

With all our elite young talent hard to imagine us finishing low each season . Add our veteran elite talents like Smyth , Hemsky , Horcoff (in some areas), possibly Whitney and one has to wonder why we struggle so badly . Now we add Yakupov and Schultz to our eliteness and an emerging Petry and Klefbom to the mix and you have to think we should be a playoff team bare minimum . Right . Maybe it's not the talent level that keeps us near the bottom ? Psycological immaturity ,depression , added stress playing here and in Canada have anything to do with it ? Somethings amiss , and it doesn't appear to be talent level . In a nutshell , they should be better as a team and also result wise than what they have achieved so far .

I have a baaad feeling Lazar may not be around at 6 - 10. He will get a lot more offensive looks than last year - likely 1st line PP with Sammuelsson, St. Croix up front, Wruck and Gernat / Reinhart on the point. It is amazing how kids mature physically at this age and go from good WHLers to dominant WHLers. Lazar is built like a tank and loves to go to the net with crazy hands. Not overly tall, but he will play at over 200 lbs next year. RH shooting centerman. You think we could use a guy like that?

I like where you are going, but if the Oil Kings are as dominant as I think they will be, look for Lazar to possibly be top 5. Long way till the draft though.

I agree, that Lazar will likely get some very good looks from scouts this year.

However, this draft is deep in centers and there are likely going to be a few defensemen and wingers that get some attention as well. Seth Jones and Nathan McKinnon are the obvious ones to start off the ___ vs. ___ debate for 2013.

Shinkaruk, Monahan, Jones, McKinnon, Domi and Rychel are all tracking as 1st round picks and have been garnering a great deal of attention.

Last year Frk and Ebert were in that conversation.

While centers tend to be considered a very valuable commodity, Couturier dropped in his draft year, and Grigorenko dropped this year. Both because of "work ethic" issues, granted, but prospects can slide. Who knows.

But if the Oilers are drafting 10th overall and have a healthy Hemsky who has posted at minimum a 60 point season, as well as an extra 2nd round pick, they might be able to find a buyer at the 6th to 8th spot in a team that had an unfortunate year and wants to make a quick turnaround.

There are so many good centers coming up in this draft year, who knows, maybe even the Flames could draft one. ;-)

Regarding the "Oiler domination to follow" stuff... let's just leave that for somewhere else guys... I lived through the "boys on the bus" '80s, the erratic '90s and, save for the 2006 Cup run, the disappointing '00s and '10s, and I like to think that I've seen the best and worst that this team (and OilerNation) has to offer, and a little humility and grace shows respect for all parties affiliated with this team and the other 29 teams in the league...

I've also seen too often that "what goes around comes around" and I really hate it when blowhard Flames/Leafs/Canadians/Canucks fans take things too far.

I've always appreciated that hockey has an unwritten sportmanship code that separated it from other sports like basketball... it's why teams shake hands after a playoff series or why guys like Avery get turfed from the league for being d-bags...

I also think it's why I'll always stop and help out an Oilers/Flames/Leafs/Canadians/Canucks fan with a flat tire on my way home from Rexall... provided that they are not standing by the side of the road screaming "__________ DOMINATION TO FOLLOW"....

As far as Richard Cloutier goes, I like his articles. I may have missed one, but I've never read him post any made up rumors, and try and pass them off as legit. He'll either comment on an Eklund rumor, as to what it might actually take to make the rumored trade go through, or he'll quote one the Edmonton Media guys like Stauffer or Tencer.

The only time I've seen him make up trades, he flat out says that they're not rumors, just deals he'd like to see, and what it might take to do them.

Eklunds still a tool though!

Cloutier once based a trade of one of Hall or Whitney due to a split in the room caused by Hall skating passed Whitney after scoring a goal.... Richard Cloutier is an absolute joke and so is everything on hockeybuzz.

I do enjoy that guys with actual insider info call them out on it from time to time though

I am all for a classy site, but there is a fine line between class and pretentiousness.

Like trying to talk to a hipster about music:

"What? You haven't heard of (insert obscure indie band here)? They are soooo meta, just blazing, man. I can't listen to the radio...too mainstream. You like Kings of Leon? *snickers while looking at other hipsters* they are SUCH SELLOUTS."